Saturday, July 12, 2008

Who makes it?

The more and more I keep thinking about this roster, the more excited I get, with both the present and future of this club. To be honest, I see the Bruins as one of the better teams in the East. Not only because I am a homer, usually I will say when I don't like this team, but because this team is DEEP, which is what Detroit was and all the Cup winners in the past were. So, let's take a look and see who makes this team.

Locks:

Patrice Bergeron

Marc Savard

Phil Kessel

David Krejci

Milan Lucic

Chuck Kobasew

PJ Axlesson

Marco Sturm

Bubble:

Petteri Nokelainen

Peter Schaefer

Glen Murray

Carl Soderberg

Jeremy Reich

Shawn Thornton

Vladimir Sobotka

Stretches:

Blake Wheeler

Zach Hamill

We have say 14 active forwards for this season, so 8 locks leaving 6 spaces. I would say Soderberg would most likely end up in Providence and then is called up if necessary. I think they would REALLY like to get him some time getting to know North American hockey before most likely getting a roster spot next season. Assuming everyone is here, I think Sobotka goes to Providence as well just because he can get more playing time and be called up if necessary. Nokelainen is likely to be the 4th line center, but he also could end up in Providence or as a healthy scratch some nights. Reich will see extremely limited time as an injury replacement, and since his deal is 1 way, he might be traded for a pick or in a package. Thornton will see time as the goon on the team. Schaefer remains the most likely to be dealt if a trade is made, but he could be paired with Sobotka as they played well in the playoffs. Wheeler and Hamill with more than likely play in Providence and could get a late season call up.

Lucic-Savard-Ryder

Sturm-Bergeorn-Kessel

Kobasew-Krejci-Murray

Schaefer-Nokelainen-Axlesson

Thornton-Sobotka

Reich

or

Schaefer-Savard-Ryder

Sturm-Bergeron-Kobasew

Lucic-Krejci-Kessel

Axelsson-Nokelainen-Murray

Thornton-Sobotka

Reich

As you can see, I moved Lucic up to the 1st line as it seems that the Bruins really want this guy up at the top, but a Lucic-Krejci-Kessel like could also work in which Murray would slot down to the 4th line and Schaefer plays with Savard as was planned last year. If Schaefer can regain playoff form all year, he will be a good player. I really don't see Reich doing much, which is why he is the 15th forward on the team. Thornton could spell for anyone via injury and juggle the lines and Sobotka and Nokie will likely split a lot of time. Obviously, a trade is what is most likely or buyout, but I am dealing with what we have now.

11 Comments:

because certain pairings create new opportunities and could bring out the best of our scorers.

signing ryder was huge. he and savard alone could be a productive 1st line. guys like kobasew and sturm are good for 25-30, especially since kobasew was going well then got hurt last season. bergerons back--enough said. and that third line has guys who could get up to 15 so i think we are in great shape.

John from Medford.... Adding a great second line center (Patrice) and a 14 goal scorer with potential (Ryder)does not turn one of the worst offensive teams in the league into a four line scoring threat. Also having Schaefer getting more playing time than Axelsson is an insult to anyone who has ever watched a Bruins game in their life! Who will have the most fighting majors on the team? With you having Lucic on the top line and Thornton on the bench... Chara with three majors???? I have high hopes for the team this year, but that was the worst post this website has ever seen. Shame on you Matt, shame on you.

yeah no chance the bruins put lucic on the first line dude im sorry...he can take the third line with krej and kessel and continue to develop also no way schaef deserves first line duty...not a chance in hell...ill say kessel gets on first line duty with savvy and ryder if all goes well

Lucic could be in the first line because he is their 2nd best LW, but they want Sturm with Bergeron because they have good chemistry. It is more likely that they do and Lucic-Krejci-Kessel line which is what I said, therefore i did both options.

I agree we are pretty deep, but I have to agree with everyone else, Lucic may end up on the top line down the road, but not right now.

I also think that if Murray stays, He'll play with a chip on his shoulder (until he gets hurt.) We're probably one of the deepest teams in the east but most of our talent is still under-developed and need to gel.

I think success rides on the shoulders of Claude Julien and the veteran leaders. I've seen worse teams have success.

ahhh matt, you have clearly never played hockey. You clearly don't know much about hockey. lucic, not a 1st liner. axlesson noke and sobotka, not a legit scoring line. You have the guy who led the bruins in goals per game on the third lin in one scenario. cmon man, what are you thinking. should we also put chara in goal because he is big?